Highlights

Originally a Japanese domestic market vehicle, showing just 38,907 kilometres believed to be correct
Comprehensive overhaul by marque specialists totalling £15,000
Non-sunroof model, eliminating a key rust-prone area
Contrôle technique valid to March 2031
Currently registered in France

The Appeal

While it's not quite as often seen on the market, the fixed-head coupé counterpart to the iconic R107 SL roadster shares the same tenets of exceptional build quality, with a slightly longer wheelbase and an elegant pillarless hardtop design. Long overshadowed by its open-topped sibling, it's rightly attracted growing appreciation among Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts in recent years.

This 1980 example was originally delivered to the Japanese domestic market, a market that tends to be much kinder to bodywork than a European car. It was subsequently imported to the UK in 2020 before making its way to France in 2024, where it is currently registered. The vendor describes the car as being in fine condition, with a low kilometre reading and a contrôle technique valid to March 2031.

The current owner, an experienced SLC enthusiast who has owned three examples previously, spent considerable time seeking out what he considered the ideal specification: Diamond Blue, non-sunroof, low kilometres, and Japanese provenance. Having found it, he commissioned a thorough overhaul at the hands of Pentangle Mercedes totalling £15,000 to address the effects of long-term storage. Since completion, the car has covered 6,000 trouble-free kilometres, including a grand tour through France.

The vendor describes the car as being in near-concours condition, a view supported by independent valuations from SL Shop and a French agreed insurance valuation. It comes to market currently registered in France and ready to be enjoyed.

The vendor adds: "Having owned three SLCs, I spent a long time looking for this colour combination with armrest and no sunroof (a known rust area). It is a reliable, comfortable GT car in the oldest tradition and attracts a lot of attention when out and about."

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1980 as a Japanese domestic market vehicle
Imported to the UK in 2020
Imported to France in March 2024, where it is currently registered
Odometer reads 38,907 kilometres, believed to be correct and confirmed by SL Shop and Pentangle Mercedes
Contrôle technique valid to March 2031
SL Shop (UK) valuation at £32,000
Pentangle Mercedes specialist letter confirming condition and mileage genuineness
French 'expertise' valuation at €38,000 as an agreed value for insurance

The Condition

Diamond Blue livery
Bodywork appears sound
Brightwork contrasts nicely
Original 'Mexican Hat' wheelset
Non-sunroof model
Underside appears solid with only gentle patina
Interior appears original
Checked upholstery generally in fine order
Wooden veneers all present and correct
Four small, repaired cracks on the dashboard
Instruments are clean and legible
Specialist hidden amplifier/speaker system fitted by car-u-audio.de

The Mechanics

4.5-litre V8 engine
3-speed automatic transmission
Believed to be mechanically standard
The vendor reports the car to be in very good mechanical condition
Comprehensive overhaul totalling £15,000 carried out by Pentangle Mercedes
Rubber items replaced including engine and gearbox mounts
Air conditioning control units and fuel injectors rebuilt by 107 specialists in the USA
Suspension items replaced
Cruise control pneumatic system overhauled
Electronics repaired
6,000 trouble-free kilometres completed since overhaul

BEFORE YOU BUY

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